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Links & Resources
[Rebecca speaking here]:
OK...So I may have gone a little "gung-ho" on this page. I think I
safely speak for the four of us when I say that there is nothing wrong
with a vast amount of resourcing for ones spirituality, education,
and/or hobbies.
We are research nerds, and darn proud of it! =)
This page includes Asatru
Organizations and Kindreds, Resources (Basic info, Spirituality,
Daily living, Runes and Seidh), Music, Books, Graphics, discussion
groups, and pagan Reconstructionism, and non-Heathen pagan sites.
If there is something you would like us to add, delete (if it's yours, of course), or edit, then please contact us here about it.
So grab yourself a cup of tea (or even better, a horn of mead), and enjoy yourself here.
This
page can be a little overwhelming, so we have this "Quick Links"
section here for your ease. Click on the topic link to get to the
section you're seeking:
One
of the oldest Asatru organizations, promoting awareness and building
community among the Asa-folk. They publish a quarterly journal called Idunna. They have also published two very handy books: Our Troth, Volume 1: History & Lore and Our Troth, Volume 2: Living the Troth. In addition, "the Troth conducts a training program for prospective Heathen clergy,
incorporating study, training and experience in lore knowledge, theology,
ceremonial practice, group organization, and counseling, and leading to
certification after an extensive evaluation and final examination."
A
family-oriented association of independent Kindreds and non-profit
religious organization. Their website offers a handy calendar as well
as some Asatru information. "The Asatru Alliance is working to build a community Temple-Hof in every State
and Province in the United States and Canada, to practice and promote the
religion of Asatru and strengthen the ethnic community."
Religious organization for Asatruar's, dedicated to the practice and spreading awareness of Asatru. A fantastic resource.
The Northvegr Foundation is a private educational foundation whose goals center on bringing knowledge and understanding of northern
European pre-Christian history, culture and spiritual values.
They are very authenticity-oriented and provide a trove of lore,
history, linguistics, and etcetera. They also provide much of their
information in .PDF format.
"The Irminen-Gesellschaft is a non-profit organization dedicated to the
preservation and evolution of the Germanic Heathen dynamic (Irminenschaft) and
Germanic culture. The men and women of the Gesellschaft endeavor to achieve this
through research, education, and an active exchange of ideas." Based on Germanic Heathenry.
One of the older Asatru resource/networking organizations. They are "a voluntary association of Ásatrúar to practice the religion, facilitate
networking, sharing of resources, developing educational material and programs,
fostering cooperation and the promotion of Ásatrú." Their website also includes a "Contacts"
tool for trying to find heathens in your regional area!
"Frigga's Web is an organization established to honor the goddess Frigga, one of the deities of the religion called Ásatrú,
Heathenism, or Germanic/Teutonic Paganism. Frigga's Web promotes the activities,
purposes and benefits that are within Frigga's domains of power and interest." While dedicated to Frigga, they equally recognize and honor the other Gods and Goddesses.
Icelandic Asatru Association. Ásatrúarfelagið is a religious organization
for those who believe in the Icelandic/Nordic folklore, the spirits and entities
the folklore represents, in addition to gods and other beings from the Nordic
pantheism. The purpose of the organization is keeping alive the old
traditions, beliefs and ways and restores the Ancient Way to its former glory,
reclaim our cultural heritage and honour the ways of the old Nordic
Gods. Ásatrúarfelagið is recognized by the Icelandic government as a
religious organization." Has a link to translate the page in English on the top menu.
Centered mostly in Massachusetts, "Raven Kindred North (RKN) is one of the
oldest traditional Asatru kindreds on the East Coast." One of the three kindreds
who host the East Coast Thing.
Centered mostly in New Jersey, a very frithful kindred with a long track record
of hard work. One of the three kindreds who host the East Coast Thing.
"An Asatru Kindred located in the Northern Shenandoah Valley area of Virginia,
dedicated to the study and worship of the Norse Gods, the Ancestors and the
Landvaettir." Eplagarthr holds events throughout the year, including their Winter Night's Festival in October."
Maryland
based Kindred. Keepers of the first governmentally recognized Hof
(Asatru-dedicated "church" building) in the U.S.A.! One of the three
kindreds who host the East Coast Thing. Among the members is Laurel Mendes, a Seidh-woman.
Founded way back in 1988, this is the Berkley, CA based kindred of Diana L.
Paxson, fictional & non-fictional author, Shope of The Troth, and elder Seidh woman. "Hrafnar is the "parent" religious community, open to both men
and women. Its meetings focus on worship of the Aesir and Vanir, the ancestors
(Alfar and Disir) and the land spirits, but may include workshops and
celebrations as well. Most meetings focus on a specific god or goddess." Their website offers lots of information regarding Asatru, Seidh, and even the Gjallarhorn Alliance, or the Teal Party.
Located in The British Isles, "The Kith aims to bring the spiritual teachings and values of the Odinic Heathen
way to the modern world. They strive to learn, to teach, to live in accordance
with our Gods, and to provide a voice for Heathenry in the world at large." They
also provide a quarterly journal called Sunwheel, and a monthly
magazine called Frostfire for their members. They hold regular
celebrations, Moots, and study groups in the U.K...
Asatru Kindred in Western Pennsylvania. Website also provides a few articles and beautiful poems, songs, and blessings.
Maryland-based Kindred. Sample blot ritual and good articles.
Connecticut-based Asatru kindred. Website has some good articles on it.
Asatru kindred based out of central Ohio.
Newly formed Kindred based out of the Fall River, MA area.
One of the most active and established Theod's on the east coast. A good starting
point for learning about Theodism. They follow Théodish Belief, "which
emphasizes the bonds of the community and the development of a worldview and
cultural ethos that our ancient forebears would have honored, and uses these
tools to forge a connection between the individual and the divine".
Created
by our own member, Eric. Despite his self-deprecation, we all agree
that this is a fantastic resource for the Asatru information seeker.
His philosophies are refreshing and fun to read, and the Asatru
information itself is good. =)
Courtesy of squirrel.com...A great resource.
Very extensive Scandinavian/Norse culture site. One of the very best!
Asatru-U develops and publishes Asatru (Germanic Heathen) courses for different
kinds of students; for different levels of rigor and abstraction; and for
directed and independent study. We operate loosely under the umbrella of the Reeves Hall of Frigga's Web. Their discussion archives and drafts are on their Yahoo! Group.
..."in association with Fealcen Stow and Midgard's Web." Nice collection of
articles and art.
Provides literature from around the world. Half way down the page you will find Germanic mythology and the Icelandic sagas.
An independent study project from a Germanic studies
major, Bridget Herrera. She graduated from Dickinson College with a
Bachelor's degree
in the field of German studies, and a concentration in Nordic/Celtic
mythology.
From the Internet Sacred Text Archives website.
Scroll down to the Northern European and Icelandic sections for the
Eddas, Sagas, and etcetera.
Online texts of Icelandic medieval literature.
Little diagram of the Nine worlds in Asatru.
Asatru Basics. A great resource to start out with, or refresh yourself upon.
Gunnlod-Hjarta,
a writer, mystic, and Aesic Witch, and the former Pennsylvania Steward
for The Troth. This website provides some of her
writings on Odin and Gunnlod (her patrons), living a devotional and
magickal
life, her personal spiritual practice, and so forth. A great, new
website!
"A website dedicated to the preserving, exploring and documenting the ancient
history, folklore and traditions of Orkney - a group of islands lying off the
northern tip of Scotland, where the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet."
A good resource for information all about the Runes.
Website is run by Diana L. Paxson. Offers good information regarding Seidh.
Rune-Study networking Guild. "Rune-Net was formed by a group of rune students who have been studying as a
network since 1990, and individually for up to 30 years. The purpose of Rune-Net
is to promote the study of our runic heritage, sorting the ancient facts from
the more recent fantasies. We aim to re-democratize the tradition by making the
original sources more accessible to the individual, rather than relying on the
interpretations of the "rune-gurus" of the popular commercial publishing houses."
Article by Jenny Blain
Article by Diana L. Paxson (from the website above, but I thought it would be a good idea add this one on here anyway)
An independent, non-profit organization that "promotes and supports the study of the runes in
all of their aspects, pursuing the undertaking and assistance of scholarship
by utilizing appropriate innovative means to provide high quality courses
and information." A good source which offer rune courses, support, and more.
An Asatru podcast/radio for and about our community. They have great interviews,
discuss Lore, our gods and goddesses, and anything else relating to Asatru.
"Archaeological Finds of Ninth- and Tenth-Century Viking Foodstuffs" ...Basic food information and ingredients, book resources, and links. A good starting point if you want to cook Viking-style!
"Archaeological Finds of Viking Hearths" Basic information and sources, another good starting point.
10th-century recreation of Viking and Saxon traders.
Article by Jenny Blain: Constructing identity and divinity: Creating community in an Elder religion
within a postmodern world.
By I. Mark Carlson....a wonderful website for horn crafting, of all kinds.
A fantastic and absolutely inspiring website full of poems, songs, blessings, etcetera. For anyone interested in the linguistic arts, this page is excellent.
This
is an online e-book created by Lewis Stead and the Raven Kindred.
Technically this might belong under Asatru resources. The reason I
place it here is because this book is packed with information regarding
Ve's, Wight's/Landvaettir, Blots, Holidays/Celebrations, and Values.
Personally, these subjects would fall under "Living Heathen" because
these are our daily practices and living...not just academics and
spirituality.
A long-running Heathen newsletter which is now retired. See the archives for some great
articles.
Collected articles of an old magazine produced by Troth members. "Mountain Thunder magazine was published quarterly from 21 June 1991 through 21
September 1993, a total of ten issues. The magazine covered issues of interest
to the general pagan community, with emphasis on Asatru, the old Germanic
religion(s) of Northern Europe. Featuring well known pagan authors such as Diana
L. Paxson, Kveldulfr Hagen Gundarsson, and C. Dean Andersson, among others, the
magazine struck a balance between intellectual responsibility and plain old fun."
"The Pomegranate is the first International, peer-reviewed
journal of Pagan studies. It provides a forum for papers, essays and
symposia on both ancient and contemporary Pagan religious practices. The Pomegranate
also publishes timely reviews of scholarly books in this growing field.
The editors seek both new interpretations and re-examinations of those
traditions marked both by an emphasis on nature as a source of sacred
value (e.g., Wicca, modern Goddess religions) as well as those
emphasizing continuity with a polytheistic past (e.g., Ásátru and other
forms of 'reconstructionist' Paganism). The editors also seek papers on
the interplay between Pagan religious traditions, popular culture,
literature, psychology and the arts." A more scholarly take on Paganism. A fantastic journal.
Gotmead.com is a wonderful, extensive resource for anything relating to brewing mead.
Very enthusiastic and helpful list for home brewers. Members include some of our community's best mead makers.
(for Adults & Children listed...this is by NO MEANS a complete list!!!)
By
Kveldulf Gundarsson and others, published by The Troth. This is an
amazingly comprehensive piece of work. Perhaps the best overview and
field guide to what Asatru is,
who it is, how we do what we do, and why. Highly recommended by the
members of Haukafell.
By
Patricia M. Lafayllve - examines Freyja, perhaps the best-known goddess
of Asatru. Using original source material, extant writings,
and scholarship the author builds an image of the goddess as she may
have
appeared to her followers in pre-Christian Northern Europe. Lafayllve
then uses
the knowledge she has compiled to speculate on aspects of modern
worship of this
complex deity. Highly recommended.
By
Diana L. Paxson. A basic primer in the ways of Heathenry. A good choice
for people new to the path or trying to explain Asatru to friends
and family.
By Diana L. Paxson. One of the latest and most comprehensive works on the subject. Designed for group study,
the book delves into the ancient historical meaning of each rune and explains
their contemporary uses and meanings.
A very good resource for any Heathen, though primarily aimed at those following an
Anglo-Saxon tradition.
By
Galina Krasskova (Author), Swain Wodening (forward). A friendly overview
which provides a thorough guide to the cosmology, values, ethics, and
rituals practiced by modern Heathens. Includes a look into devotional
practices. The faining or blót is examined in rich detail with
examples given for personal use.
By Kveldulf Gundarsson, this text looks closely at the history and folklore of Landvaettir, the Alfar, etcetera, and offers a
practical guide for dealing with them.
By Hilda Roderick Ellis Davidson. "...an objective analysis of pagan beliefs and practices, mostly in Viking and
Celtic times. Davidson gives well -documented explanations of such things as
holy places, feasting and sacrifice, rites of battle, land-spirits and
ancestors, foreknowledge and destiny."
By Robert Kellogg. "This volume offers nine full sagas and six tales, all new translations by
various hands and all part of The Complete Sagas of the Icelanders, also edited
by Thorsson."
By Padraic Colum. "A retelling of the Norse sagas about Odin, Freya, Thor, Loki and the other gods
and goddesses who lived in Asgard before the dawn of time." An adorable book for our Asa-children.
By Neil Philip. Another neat book for our Asa-children. "The 15 myths here, based upon the 13th-century Icelandic Prose Eddas, will be
familiar to readers of Norse mythology, and include "The Creation," "The Walls
of Asgard," "Thor's Hammer," and "The Death of Balder." Philip's versions are
straightforward in tone, yet retain an air of wonder."
By Thor Ewing. "Contrary to popular myth, the Vikings had a reputation for neatness and their
fashions were copied far beyond the realms of Scandinavia. Those who could
afford to displayed a love of fine clothes made from silks, from lightweight
worsteds in subtly woven twills, and from the finest of linens. This accessible
new book is the first to tackle the question of what the Vikings wore, drawing
on evidence from art and archaeology, literature, and linguistics to arrive at a
fresh understanding of the nature of Viking clothing, covering rich and poor,
men and women across Scandinavia. It includes an overview of Viking textiles and
dyeing, and an exploration of cloth production and clothing in the context of
Viking society as a whole, as well as a detailed consideration of both male and
female outfits and a new interpretation of the suspended dress." We (Jen and Rebecca) have found this book entertaining, challenging, and useful all at the same time! =)
by Else Ostergard. "Woven into the Earth recounts the dramatic story of Norlund's excavation in
the context of other Norse textile finds in Greenland. It then describes what
the finds tell us about the materials and methods used in making the clothes.
The weaving and sewing techniques detailed here are surprisingly sophisticated,
and one can only admire the talent of the women who employed them, especially
considering the harsh conditions they worked under."
by William Ian Miller. This book "delves beneath the chaos and brutality of the Norse world to discover a complex
interplay of ordering and disordering impulses. Miller's unique and engaging
readings of ancient Iceland's sagas and extensive legal code reconstruct and
illuminate the society that produced them."
by Stephen Pollington. "The book is an exploration of what these early Anglo-Saxon people were like and
how the mead-hall was a reflection of their society. The book explains a
Germanic culture and worldview in simple, concise and elegant terms with easily
followed arguments."
by Ken Schramm. This book instructs the "novice how to begin, and the experienced brewer or mead maker how to
succeed in this newest of the beverage arts."
A Finnish band that "echoes the ancient folk music
tradition of Scandinavia with
medieval ballads, minuets, prayers in runo-metric
chanting and ancient Icelandic rímur epics in a modern way.
" This CD incorporates beautiful Scandinavian music with an added
Didgeridoo flair. They have many CD's out...this one is our current
favorite. =)
This Finnish band is just fun to listen to. =)
A fantastic CD...especially nice to play during a Moot or on a relaxing evening.
This wonderful Cd features the Voluspa, Reginsmal, Fafnismal, Sigrdrifomal, and more.
Various women artists from Scandinavia throughout Europe. This CD is beautifully produced and offers fabulous bits of the various talented female artists of northern Europe.
Various artists from northern Europe. This is another beautiful CD, much in the same way as The Wizard Women of the North.
Folkish-style artist from Finland.
Industrial-style artists, this band rocks! If you've ever listened to Odin Lives Radio, this Cd's track #8, "Endless Skies" was the song they signatured the end of their shows with. Great music.
This CD is actually based on the Nine world of Yggdrasil and more. This is heavy metal with an orchestral flair. Beautifully done, highly recommended!
A creatively heroic-style band of orchestral-rock, from Europe. This band is fantastic.
This is only one CD, apart of an entire epic series. Very enchanting and inspiring. Orchestral rock...not necessarily heathen, but if you enjoyed the aforementioned music, you'll be sure to love this one too!
You. Will. Love. This. CD. More orchestral-style metal...An epic album, this time featuring the tale of Asmund Frægdegjaevar, who must save his Lady from the Troll Queen. The CD begins with the first track where Asmund is preparing his ships, and you hear the sound of the Horn calling as they are ready to sail the seas to Trollebotten! Very inspiring (oh, and it comes with a booklet for translation and following the story, LOL). =)
A CD Audiobook story for children. A basic retelling of our tales, featuring the tales of the the Creation of the Universe, the Gods of Asgard, Yggdrasil and the Three Norns, the Apples of Idunna, How Tyr Lost His Hand, Skymir Meets the Dward Gerridou, How Thor got His Hammer, The Death of Baldur, and more. Not a bad CD.
A search on Yahoo Groups for "Asatru" brings up about 300 hits. This is a general group. There are many others out there which have a regional or group focus, or specialize in some version of Asatru thought or practices.
Helps folk from Maine to Pennsylvania chat and coordinate activities. A very frithful and inspiring group!
Like the above list, but serving PA, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and the Carolinas, etc.
Great list for any Heathen parent or anyone who works with and for kids on a regular basis. Very supportive.
Maintained by one of our own members (Rebecca), this group is dedicated to all Pagan parents, to discuss general and spiritual parenting fun, troubles, questions, and so forth. It's always fun listening to others' traditions and methods, and to share our own. The database of information is immense and constantly growing. Feel free to join and input.
One of FOUR of these groups, this is a FANTASTIC resource for crafting & education for children of Asatru families and beyond.
In the SCA and wanting to meet other heathens? Want to find out who's going to Coronation and maybe organize a symbel? Here's where to go!
A discussion group hosted by the Irminsul Aettir.
This group is maintained by one of our own members, Jesse. Its focus is "to help Vinlandic Heathens to work together for the best lives that we can manage for ourselves."
Rune discussions et al.
A local Pagan organization local to Haukafell. Rebecca serves as the Events & Field Trips Coordinator for this organization. This group was the means that brought Eric and Rebecca to meet, wherein our families joined together from there and grew to the family we are today. =)
A group exclusively for Asatru women who enjoy textile arts. If you fit the requirements, this is a wonderfully warm and creative group of ladies!!
Are you interested in homesteading...or are you already? This Yahoo! group is for Asa-Folk who aspire to be or currently are homesteading, or living self-sufficiently. This is a handy, informative, and frithful group of Asatruar's. Run by Othala Farms.
Very extensive and useful site for religion research. Yes, they even have Asatru entries, including a prayer circle. If you're a new seeker, check them out and try their "Belief-o-matic Quiz" just for fun. There's also a decent article about reconstructionism.
"This is a large religious web site which promotes religious freedom, tolerance and diversity as positive cultural values. It contains over 2,600 essays and menus...We try to explain the full range of religious belief in North America, from Asatru to Christianity to Zoroastrianism."
Ancient Roman Reconstructionism.
Ancient Egyptian Reconstructionism.
Ancient Greek Reconstructionism.
"A Druid Fellowship (ADF) is an international fellowship devoted to creating a public tradition of Neo-pagan Druidry." My friend who is a Druid recommends this group.
I am listing them here because they are an inter-faith organization and have some writings on their site about various things. 4QF is actually a really cool retreat in western PA.
Witchvox.com is a witchcraft portal site with a better reputation than most. B-boards range from sincere discussions to silliness.
This is the write-up from Religious Tolerance.org.
Article by Devyn Gillette and Lewis Stead. Based on their workshop "Wicca and Ásatrú".
Quotes and conversations from various contributors regarding neo-Pagans and Recons.
This website in general has a few good articles, including this one.
A little caustic, but she does make some good points.
A basic overview of the different types of Reconstructionism out there.
"This essay addresses the inherent challenges that face Pagan Reconstructionists of every stripe, albeit to greater or lesser degrees depending upon the ancient civilization that they're studying." This is a pretty good article too.
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